[K-RoadRunner-1600]

Hi everyone,

With the following setup, I'm transporting my K1600 GTL about 650 Miles in a Penske truck. I'm just trying to get a bit of a sanity check and maybe learn something from your experience.

Setup:
K1600 GTL almost empty tank
Trackside roll-on wheel chock bolted to a one-inch thick piece of plywood for extra stability
Four Trackside loop tie-downs
Two of the Trackside tie-downs will go from the front to the wheel chock
The other two will go to the railings of the truck

To get it in and out of the truck, I'm using the ramp, but just in case, I reinforced it with a 2x4 pedestal that I managed to tie-down with underneath for extra support.

The ramp is wide enough for the bike but a bit uncomfortable to keep my feet down, especially on the way down. The solution I bought was two Home Depot 6x10 by 10" long posts that I tied down to the bed of the truck. That will allow me to keep my feet down and supported. Equally, I added a 2x4 support for extra stability and reinforcement.

Why not ship it, you might ask? Well, you deserve full transparency.

1. The cost of shipping and the above right is a wash
2. I'm moving, so I need to put other minor things in the truck
3. All shipping companies I called would give me a window that would leave me without my bike for almost a month
4. I'm moving near the Blue Ridge mountains, and I can't live without my bike for that long

Thanks for the sanity check and any suggestions.

 

[daniel1502]

Personally, I would also rent one of these and tow it behind...

 

[BMWGuy]

Not exactly a Penske but it was a U-Haul 10 footer.
Travelled 600 miles as you see it. No issue at all.

Good luck.

Joe

 

[K-RoadRunner-1600]

Personally, I would also rent one of these and tow it behind...

View attachment 175820

Thanks. I should have mentioned that the reason that it is going in the truck is that I also have to tow a car.

 

[K-RoadRunner-1600]

Not exactly a Penske but it was a U-Haul 10 footer.
Travelled 600 miles as you see it. No issue at all.

Good luck.

Joe

View attachment 175821

Nice! Thank you, I don't think 10 footters have a ramp, how did you get it on the truck?

 

[MotoToph]

You will be fine with your plan in the truck. When driving up the ramp, you need to be committed because you won't be able to touch the ground. Once you are in, be sure to be ready to brake so you don't go flying out the front!

I hauled an Electra Glide this way in 2006. I did a 1,000 point turn because I was not backing out of the truck. I also did not use a wheel chock. This was from Virginia to Mississippi. I drove a KTM Duke and Triumph Speed Triple in it as well.

 

[Beamerdude]

I use the U-Haul trailers as well. They have a well at the front to lodge the front tire and lots of good anchor points. This is a pic I took on my way home from the dealership. The staff at the dealership were very helpful with advice for loading and securing the big rig. To date, I made the trip 3 times with the trailer.

 

[BMWGuy]

Nice! Thank you, I don't think 10 footters have a ramp, how did you get it on the truck?

It was transported dealer-to-dealer and they both had a portable ramp.
Needed some muscle at each side of the bike but was easy peasy.

Joe

 

[CavRider]

You will be fine with your plan in the truck. When driving up the ramp, you need to be committed because you won't be able to touch the ground. Once you are in, be sure to be ready to brake so you don't go flying out the front!

I hauled an Electra Glide this way in 2006. I did a 1,000 point turn because I was not backing out of the truck. I also did not use a wheel chock. This was from Virginia to Mississippi. I drove a KTM Duke and Triumph Speed Triple in it as well.

You mean like this?

 

[Jonnybow]

Not exactly a Penske but it was a U-Haul 10 footer.
Travelled 600 miles as you see it. No issue at all.

Good luck.

Joe

View attachment 175821

There's so much wrong with this picture, ohh boy.
NEVER tie down a K16 using the handlebars, NEVER.
Very bad things happen using the wooden rails of a trailer, if they break in route, you'll never know. use a rail system.
NEVER trailer a bike with the side stand down.
This is so wrong, sorry Joe

 

[BMWGuy]

There's so much wrong with this picture, ohh boy.
NEVER tie down a K16 using the handlebars, NEVER.
Very bad things happen using the wooden rails of a trailer, if they break in route, you'll never know. use a rail system.
NEVER trailer a bike with the side stand down.
This is so wrong, sorry Joe

Side stand went up when we shut the door.
Didn't have the luxury of choice when renting the truck.
So had to make due with what was available.
This transport was for a disabled motorcycle, not one of convenience.

Appreciate the feedback, though.

Joe

 

[Steve 0818]

I've transported my motorcycle inside a U-Haul before, and I wouldn't do it again. If strapped down correctly you won't have a problem while transporting it, the risk comes when riding it up and down the truck ramp. A mistake while going up/down the ramp would be devastating to you and the bike. If you're set on transporting it by box truck I would try to find a hill you could back the truck against (or possible loading dock) to load and unload your bike. Lots of luck, enjoy riding the Blue Ridge Mountains.

 

[J-Luv]

There are instructions in the owners manual as to how to tie down and secure the K. I would never use the handle bars, even if someone else had successfully done so. I would recommend against it even if it had been done previously without damage.

If I had to use a truck like described, a rental, and therefore could not attach the chock to the bed, I might try a sheet of 3/4” plywood cut in half and doubled up in two 4x4 layers, screwed together with some 1.25” wood or sheetrock screws. I would slide this to the front of the box so it would not slide forward. I would attach the chick to this. I would fasten some through-bolt eyelets so I could fasten the front suspension as directed in the owner’s manual. As also shown in the manual, IIRC, straps from the passenger peg mounts to the panel via wall rails, when directed slightly forward, would keep the bike and chock from sliding rearward. If you wanted to fasten a couple 2X4s from the plywood to each side panel to keep the chock from shifting left to right that would be a good idea as well. I would go to all this bit of trouble to keep from fastening straps to the handlebars.

When the front wheel is on the ramp and the rear wheel is on the ground your feet will not be able to touch. It is during this transitional moment that you do not want to stop momentum forward or back.

Beat wishes for a successful transport.

 

[K-RoadRunner-1600]

You mean like this?

LOL

 

[MotoToph]

You mean like this?

Exactly! But I had to waddle

I would try to find a hill you could back the truck against (or possible loading dock) to load and unload your bike.

That's no fun!

 

[wellcraft]

I load my 2020 GSA in the bed of my truck all the time using a ramp similar to the ramp found on Uhaul trucks. I don't get a running start and ride my bike up the ramp but I do sit on the bike and slowly, feathering the clutch, with my feet on the edges of the ramp, slowly ride up the ramp and on to the bed of the truck. I don't know how Uhaul attaches the ramp to the truck but it wouldn't be a bad idea to use ratchet straps to secure the ramp from moving so the bike doesn't kick the ramp backwards as you transition from the ramp to the bed of the truck. While loading the bike wear your gear, helmet, jacket, gloves and boots so if you do have a mishap you have some protection. Last but not least ask one or two people to assist you, one on each side of the ramp so they can catch you if your foot slips.

 

[Kuzman]

Committing to the ride up the ramp and into the truck I could do. Backing it down would create a skid mark in my pants.

Can't imagine you could turn it around with a 32 point turn. Loading dock idea could work.

 

[MotoToph]

Committing to the ride up the ramp and into the truck I could do. Backing it down would create a skid mark in my pants.

Can't imagine you could turn it around with a 32 point turn. Loading dock idea could work.

I bet if I did it on an ElectraGlide it can happen with a K1600. That's why I said a 1,000 point turn 🙄😂😆😅

 

[wellcraft]

Committing to the ride up the ramp and into the truck I could do. Backing it down would create a skid mark in my pants.

Can't imagine you could turn it around with a 32 point turn. Loading dock idea could work.

Backing down the ramp is actually easier than riding up so long as you have a ramp wide enough to put your feet down, make sure the bike is centered on the ramp while backing down, keep the bike in first gear just in case you need to pull forward, you're not in a hurry so keep the brakes applied to control your descent, keep you feet on the edges of the ramp to stabilize the bike. I load/unload my GSA solo from the bed of my truck all the time and have never had an issue but it's safer and easier if you can get a couple people to help. This is the setup I use to load my GS.

 

[Crustyapo]

I use the U-Haul trailers as well. They have a well at the front to lodge the front tire and lots of good anchor points. This is a pic I took on my way home from the dealership. The staff at the dealership were very helpful with advice for loading and securing the big rig. To date, I made the trip 3 times with the trailer.
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